Parrandas de Punta Alegre, Cuba

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What are the Parrandas de Punta Alegre?

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The Parrandas de Punta Alegre is a celebration that takes place every year in the Province of Ciego de Avila. The parrandas have a trajectory of more than 100 years, which makes it one of the oldest celebrations in the region.

Like many other regions of Cuba, the parrandas are the stage for the competition between rival bands of the locality and the case of Punta Alegre, this is no different. The locality is divided into two, “El Yeso” with a white flag and blue letters and “La Salina” with ared flag. Both sides congregate and compete against each other with differentcultural performances, such as the congas, the flag dances, the chants, the dances, fireworks and of course, the carroques.

 

 

The floats are the result of months of work in theworkshops of the artisans, painters and decorators who plan and elaborate the floats under secrecy to prevent information regarding their decorations from leaking out. The flag dances are atraditional element that consists of spinning the flags of each side at a high speed. The congas and the chants are primordial elements, since their function isto ridicule the opposing side through unique lyrics and melodies that take months of preparation.

 

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When are the Parrandas de Punta Alegre?

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The Parrandas de Punta Alegre take place during the first weeks of December.

 

 

History of the Parrandas of Punta Alegre

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The Parrandas of Punta Alegre are known for being one of the oldest celebrations of the island, counting with a tradition of more than 100 years. The parrandas in this locality arose for the first time in the year 1913. The festivities arose thanks to the encouragement of Marcelino Silva and Teodosio Perez, both from the city of Remedios and forming part of the traditions of the Parrandas de Remedios.

The competing neighborhoods were called “El Yeso” and “La Salina” due to the economic activities each neighborhood developed, the gypsum factory and the salt mine respectively. At first, the floats were modest and somewhat meager, made with the materials they had at the time. They were usually decorated with natural elements, mainly of flowers. In addition, the fireworks show that could not be missing in the parrandas as in many others in Cuba was carried out.

Since the beginning of the 1970s, the floats are illuminated with lights and the floats had a better production and have been maintained uninterruptedly since then.

 

Where are the Parrandas de Punta Alegre?

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The Parrandas de Punta Alegre takes place in the province of Punta Alegre in Ciego de Avila, Cuba.

 

 

How are the Parrandas de Punta Alegre celebrated?

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The Parrandas are celebrated with the differentcultural performances that take place between both rival sides. Each side has its own repertoire of songs and dances, although the predominant ones are the congas. Likewise, the dances of the flags take place, a mesmerizing ceremony in which they perform different shows and movements with the flags of each side.

The most anticipated moment is whenthe floats are revealed, imposing structures mainly made of wood that glow with electric lights and bright colors. These floats are endowed with some theme, which makes the decorations and characters comply with the assigned theme.

Finally, the fireworks cannot be missed. The sky is worn with lights as a result of theexplosions of the fireworks that are confused with the music of the sides.

 

Tips for going to the Parrandas de Punta Alegre

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If you want to go to the Parrandas de Punta Alegre, we recommend that you plan your trip in advance, make an itinerary of activities you want to do once you are in Punta Alegre and finally, book the accommodation of your choice with some time.

Also, we advise you to keep political conversations out of the picture, as it is a sensitive topic and could lead to major arguments.

If you want to know more about tourism in this country I recommend this guide:.

 

Events at the Parrandas de Punta Alegre

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A few weeks before the official start of the parrandas, the town of Punta Alegre experiences the festivities with the congas, as various musical groups kick off the festivities at various points in town.

The festivities take place in the open air, where the cultural presentations take place, which must have two elements: the scenography and the theme. The people wear costumes that match thetheme of the floats, enlivening the festivities and turning them into a unique experience. Likewise, the fireworks are elements that can never be missing, neither in Punta Alegre nor in any other parranda in Cuba.

 

 

As a distinctive element in the festivities of Punta Alegre, the flag dance takes place, a battle between both sides, in which the flags spin and move to the rhythm of the bands’ music. Each side has its own elements such as the music, the chants and the dances, which makes the competition a true cultural battlefield..

The most anticipated moment is the unveiling of the floats on the main street. The floats have a theme and their entire structure is decorated with colors, symbols and lights related to it. The congas become more intense as the time comes to reveal the floats, prolonging the party for several hours or until the body endures.

 

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Parrandas de Punta Alegre Parades

 

The competition of the flocks focuses on the cultural elements unique to each one. Likewise, the congas, the flag dance and the song are main elements that cannot be missing in the competition. However, on the day of the celebration it is the carrozas of large size and bright colors that steal the show.

The congas and the fireworks accompany the carrozas show, elements that are distinctive of the festivities and parrandas all over the island of Cuba.

 

Parade route

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The competition takes place in the main street of the town of Punta Alegre.

 

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What to eat at the Parrandas of Punta Alegre

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One of the typical foods of the fishing locality of Punta Alegre is the minuta de pescado, fried fillets of local fish usually served with bread, recreated a sandwich. Also, you can find the enchilado de jaiba, a thick stew with crab.

Some of the places available nearby are: Lenny’s Bar and Grill, Ranchon Las Dunas and Ranchon Cuba Libre.

 

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Travel Insurance

 

From Carnavalesdelmundo.org we recommend to hire a good insurance to visit this carnival and to know the rest of the country. For being our readers we offer a 5% discount on all IATI insurances. Read more information about all insurance offers here:

 

 

What to see and do inside the Parrandas de Punta Alegre

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Within the carnivals you canattend the different presentations of music, dance, dance of the flags and singing that take place on the main road of the town during thechallenge of the flags. Likewise, you can admire the large structures or floats full of lights and colors, the main attractions of the parrandas.

If you don’t want to complicate things, here you can book interesting excursions in Spanish in this city:.

 

What to see and do outside of the Parrandas de Punta Alegre

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Some of the tourist attractions near the town of Punta Alegre are:

 

Cayo Guillermo Dolphinarium

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It is an enclosure that has several dolphins, where you can have some kind of interaction with the dolphins like dancing or just petting them.

 

Cayo Media Luna

(Half Moon Key).
It is a key or islet that has no population or is generally sparsely populated. It was formerly part of the family of José Miró. However, the Cuban government expropriated the island, so today it is uninhabited.

 

Crocodile Farm

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It is a crocodile farm that has about 13 kilometers of extension. Its mission is to preserve and protect the flora and fauna of the region.

Also if you want to visit museums and important buildings in this city we recommend that you book your ticket in advance through Tiquets: .

 

Safety in the Parrandas of Punta Alegre

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The town of Punta Alegre is safe to transit and visit during carnivals, you just need to make sure you follow the same safety measures you would apply in your hometown. Also, we recommend the following products to store your belongings safely:

 

 

Climate in the Parrandas of Punta Alegre

 

During the Parrandas of Punta Alegre the weather is pleasant, with a temperature ranging between 27 and 32 degrees Celsius and little rainfall.

 

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How to get to the Parrandas de Punta Alegre

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How to get there by plane

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The closest and best connected airport is the Abel Santamaria International Airport. From here you can use the different means to get closer to the population of Punta Alegre.

We recommend buying airline tickets through Kiwi.com or Skyscanner where they are usually cheaper. More information on this link to review Kiwi.com..

 

How to get there by train

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From the airport you can take a cab or personal vehicle to Santa Clara. Once there, take a train to Ciego de Avila using train 9 from Santa Clara station. Finally, take a cab or personal vehicle to Punta Alegre.

In Havana you can take a train from La Coubre to Ciego de Avila. Once there, take a cab or personal vehicle to Punta Alegre.

 

How to get there by bus

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From Havana you can take a bus on the Habana-Holguín route to Ciego de Ávila. Once there, take a cab to Punta Alegre.

 

How to get there by car

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From the airport, take a cab or private vehicle and use the Circuito Norte to the town of Punta Alegre.

From Havana take a car to Punta Alegre taking the Autopista Nacional. The trip takes 5 and a half hours.

 

Where to stay in Punta Alegre Parrandas

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Lodging in the town is somewhat scarce, so we recommend some hotels in the vicinity.

 

Booking.com

 

Soroa

3-star hotel 8 kilometers from Punta Alegre. The hotel has a swimming pool and bar.

 

Hotel Moka

4-star hotel 12 km from Punta Alegre. Rooms include TV, closet and private bathroom. Facilities offer swimming pool and bar.

 

Hotel Ciego de Ávila

2 stars hotel 7 km from the center of Ciego de Avila. The rooms have air conditioning and private bathrooms. The hotel has a swimming pool and bar.

We recommend using Booking.com to book hotels at a good price, check more information here:.

 

Thank you for reading

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